Posts from Dinner Party Questions

Q: This Thanksgiving I'm in charge of menu-planning and cooking for the first time! It is also the first Thanksgiving my uncle and his family will celebrate in the US after living 10 years abroad, and I really want to make it a memorable one. The problem is that no one in my family likes turkey and my mom is insisting on cooking a leg of lamb instead.

Q: My friends are hosting a large "Friendsgiving" next weekend and asked me to bring a second turkey since they do not have the oven space. I would like to arrive in time for pre-dinner cocktails, but I also want my turkey to remain hot until everyone is ready to eat! What is the best way to transport the turkey to keep it moist and warm?

Q: Do you have any advice on cooking Thanksgiving just for two? My boyfriend and I are not going home, and none of our friends will be in town. I desperately love cooking Thanksgiving, but I don't even know if it is worth hunting down a small turkey and making half or quarter recipes of all the fixings. Any suggestions for scaling down?

Q: A friend just invited me to his home for Thanksgiving dinner — and asked me to pay $50 upfront. I understand that hosting can be expensive and I wouldn't mind being asked to bring a dish, but asking guests for cash seems incredibly rude. Am I crazy to be a bit miffed? Has anyone else experienced this? If so, how do you handle it?

Q: I am hosting my very first Thanksgiving dinner in a few weeks, which coincidentally falls on Hanukkah this year. I'm Jewish and excited about creating a menu that blends local, autumnal offerings with traditional Jewish food. I would love advice on putting together a menu for a small dinner party (6 people) in a modest Brooklyn apartment.

Q: I have been cooking Thanksgiving dinners for over 20 years, but this will be my first time cooking gluten-free. Any hints on what kind of flour to use for gravy, the best rolls to make, and what to use for bread crumbs? What is the best gluten free cookbook? Thanks.

Q: My friends and I want to host a community dinner for some international friends at the local university. I'm supposed to provide an ethnic main dish but have no idea what to make! I have a limited budget and limited time to cook. I would also love to incorporate as much seasonal New England produce as possible. Any ideas?

Q: I'm throwing a tea party bridal shower for a friend. I want to serve tea of course, plus champagne, little sandwiches, little sweet treats...but the bride can't eat gluten! How can I still make this happen? I would love some ideas, including naturally gluten-free options, but I do want to treat the bride-to-be with the carb-heavy stuff she never gets to have.

Q: My little boy is turning 1 on September 30th. We are throwing his party in the afternoon. It will be a mix of kids and 'foodie' vegetarian adults. I'm hoping for some input on what to serve at his party. I'd like to provide wholesome snacks and some kind of light vegetarian main coarse but I would also like the baby to be able to enjoy the food too.